Studied mathematics at Novorossiiskii University (now Odessa State University); 1889 established railway department in Ministry of Finance, leading quickly to positions of minister of communications and minister of finance; Hired Jews, Poles, and Ukrainians as subordinates, against typical bureaucratic prejudice; Devoted much energy to the Trans-Siberian railway; wanted to link European and Asiatic Russia, bring progress to rural areas, and serve as intermediary between Western Europe and the Far East; 1892-1903 Minister of Finance. This duration known as the “Witte Period”; August 1903 removed from Ministry of Finance. Despite Witte’s successes, international conflicts resulted in reduced foreign loans to Russia. Additionally, peasant strikes and a poor relationship with Nicholas II contributed to his removal; Subsequently appointed to chairman of the Committee of Ministers; July 1905 appointed chief Russian plenipotentiary for peace negotiations with Japan; September 1905 signed the Treaty of Portsmouth that ended the Russo-Japanese War; 1905 convinced Nicholas II to issue the October Manifesto; 1905-1906 first constitutional Prime Minister of the Russian Empire; April 1906 forced to resign; 1914-1915 opposed Russia’s entry into World War I; 1915 died in Petrograd.